Obama congratulates Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD party in Burma elections

President Barack Obama meets with Chairperson of the National League for Democracy and Member of Parliament Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Rangoon, Burma, on Nov. 14, 2014. (U.S. State Department photo by William Ng/ Public Domain)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 12, 2015) — The White House Office of the Press Secretary posted a readout of President Barack Obama’s call with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, following the victory of her campaign and the success of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party in Burma’s historic parliamentary election that was held on Nov. 8, 2015.

The President commended Suu Kyi for her tireless efforts and sacrifice over so many years to promote a more inclusive, peaceful, and democratic Burma. The two leaders discussed the importance for all parties to respect the official results once announced and to work together in the spirit of unity to form an inclusive, representative government that reflects the will of the people.

The President noted that the election and formation of a new government could be an important step forward in Burma’s democratic transition and the effort to forge a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Obama also placed a call to Burma President Thein Sein to offer congratulations to the people of Burma for their participation in the historic parliamentary election. The President commended the efforts of the Union Election Commission and others in the government for their work with political parties, civil society, and the media to overcome the significant challenges in organizing and conducting the election.

The two leaders discussed the importance for all parties to respect the official results once announced and to work together with a spirit of unity to form an inclusive, representative government that reflects the will of the people. The President noted that the election and formation of a new government could be an important step forward in Burma’s democratic transition and the effort to forge a more peaceful and prosperous future.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday congratulated the people of Myanmar for “their patience, dignity and enthusiasm” in historic elections and has encouraged all stakeholders “to maintain the dignified spirit, calm and respect throughout the completion of the electoral process.”

Prefacing his remarks by saying “more considered comments on the election results will follow during the coming days,” Mr. Ban’s Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, told correspondents at the regular daily briefing at UN Headquarters that Mr. Ban congratulated the broad masses of the people from various walks of life in Myanmar for their patience, dignity and enthusiasm as they participated in Sunday’s “epochal” national polls.

He said that the UN chief also commended Myanmar’s Union Election Commission, as well as its various state, regional and local institutions for their important work.

Noting that results of the “momentous event” have started to come in, he said the Secretary-General encouraged “all stakeholders in Myanmar to maintain the dignified spirit, calm and respect throughout the completion of the electoral process.”